By Hayley Robinson

Outgoing MP Derek Wyatt has been told to pay back almost £3,000 in expenses.

The Sittingbourne and Sheppey representative received a letter from former top civil serveant Sir Thomas Legg on Monday informing him that after studying his second home claims from the last five years, he must pay back £2,893.49.

The figure comprises of a council tax overpayment of £1,290.30; a £776.76 service charge incurred when moving properties and £826.49 in utility and insurance bills some of which are thought to have been processed twice over the five-year period.

Mr Wyatt said: "Sir Thomas has identified a number of mistakes in my claims, and subject to checking my paperwork, I am happy to rectify them.

"I did not come into politics to make money; I came into politics to work hard for my constituents, my constituency and my country. I believe my record in this respect would stand up to the closest scrutiny.

"Where mistakes have been made by myself or the Fees’ Office, they have been innocent ones, I apologise and I will correct them."

Mr Wyatt, who has represented the constituency since 1997, claimed £139,838 in expenses last year including a staff wage bill of £83,805. He is stepping down at the next election.

It was the highest amount claimed by any MP in the county.

Mr Wyatt defended his claim at the time saying: "I published my expenses on my website, they are in the public domain, and so it should be.

"I pay my staff well. My travel allowance has been slightly higher because I had to stop travelling by train last year and take my dogs up to London with me by car."

Sir Thomas wrote to all MPs on Monday after finalising an extensive probe into their expenses from the past five years.

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